BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//IT Professionals Conference - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:IT Professionals Conference X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu X-WR-CALDESC:Events for IT Professionals Conference REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Chicago BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20250309T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20251102T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20260308T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20261101T070000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0600 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:CDT DTSTART:20270314T080000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0600 TZNAME:CST DTSTART:20271107T070000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T093000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T220325Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T221632Z UID:9141-1780045200-1780047000@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Faster\, Better and Cheaper: Refactoring Course Search & Enroll DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nIn this presentation\, we plan to share how we migrated the CS&E from a manually provisioned infrastructure into an environment provisioned with Infrastructure as Code. In the process\, we reduced AWS infrastructure costs by 35% (nearly $3.5K/month) and improved performance and reliability. This included replacing Apache/Shibboleth with Cloudfront/OIDC and replacing several containerized applications with lambda functions. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nBrian Hill\nLyle Hanson\nBen Nylud\nNuwan Kumarasiri\nRiver Ali Alaqidy URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/faster-better-and-cheaper-refactoring-course-search-enroll/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2025/05/Object-storage@0.5x-100-e1778191196191.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T093000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T220816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T220816Z UID:9150-1780045200-1780047000@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:How to build custom blocks for the new UW Theme 2.0 DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nJoin Andrea Roenning and Nate Finch as they demonstrate how to build and maintain custom WordPress blocks for the Block Editor. \nIn this session\, we’ll go over: \n\ngetting set up locally for block development\nchoosing a static or dynamic block\nusing WordPress Gutenberg components and libraries\nbuilding and maintaining small and large blocks\nbundling and distributing the blocks for use on sites\n\nBlock-building setup and development can be tricky when you’re first starting. Join us to see how you can build custom experiences for your users. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nAndrea Roenning\nNate Finch URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/how-to-build-custom-blocks-for-the-new-uw-theme-2-0/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2023/05/Tools-e1778191613425.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T093000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T221953Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T221953Z UID:9152-1780045200-1780047000@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Replacing Spreadsheets: A Consolidated View of Network Infrastructure Data DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nMost network teams juggle spreadsheets and siloed tools to track subnets\, VLANs\, firewalls\, and access. This session demos a single homegrown app that pulls everything together—including Infoblox—into a single\, reliable view. See how it improves visibility\, cuts down on manual work\, and makes it easier to understand and manage your network. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nEric Dieckman URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/replacing-spreadsheets-a-consolidated-view-of-network-infrastructure-data/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2026/05/Neon-Brain.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T094000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T104000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T222410Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T222410Z UID:9159-1780047600-1780051200@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Building an AI Tutor With Gemini-CLI and Obsidian DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nAn explanation and a technical demo of how to build an AI tutor for any skill with Google’s Gemini-CLI and the Obsidian text editor. By using Gemini in the filesystem\, users are able to save prompts from the LLM as files and then edit those files directly. This allows anyone to use Gemini-CLI to create a local tutor that will quiz you\, grade quizzes\, have persistent storage in the filesystem\, provide links to relevant documentation\, and iteratively improve as the user uses the tutor system. Because it is saved in the filesystem\, a user can come back to the folder days or weeks later\, and the full AI context will still be there\, by utilizing the GEMINI.md system instructions file as persistent state storage. I will have some slides to explain the theory and setup with a live technical demo creating an AI tutor for a new skill in real time\, showing how it can be designed\, implemented\, and used efficiently and safely. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nSean McConnell URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/building-an-ai-tutor-with-gemini-cli-and-obsidian/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2025/05/connecting-relationships-to-results.-enhancing-IT-and-buisness-partnerships-e1778192543566.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T094000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T104000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T222834Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T222834Z UID:9162-1780047600-1780051200@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Stop Solving. Start Asking: The Inquiry Mindset for IT DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nIn fast‑paced IT environments\, the pressure to provide quick answers can limit collaboration\, trust\, and innovation. This session introduces The Inquiry Mindset—a practical approach for IT professionals at all levels to shift from reacting with solutions to leading with thoughtful\, strategic questions. Drawing from frameworks like Humble Inquiry\, Power Questions\, and Appreciative Inquiry\, participants will learn how to use curiosity to defuse resistance\, strengthen partnerships\, uncover real needs\, and create psychological safety. You’ll walk away with simple language shifts and a set of powerful\, ready‑to‑use questions that elevate conversations and transform everyday IT interactions. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nKen Fanta URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/stop-solving-start-asking-the-inquiry-mindset-for-it/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2026/05/Question-marks-square.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T094000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T104000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T223043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T223043Z UID:9176-1780047600-1780051200@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Looking at how LLMs might help your work DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nA lot of marketing out there is pitching “AI is for everything\, no one will have jobs”. This session aims to demystify that notion\, and give you a solid framework to evaluate what kinds of work might possibly be candidates for automation\, for document drafting\, and that which will never be for an AI to do. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nPhil Jochimsen URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/looking-at-how-llms-might-help-your-work/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2025/05/WCER-website-lifecycle_@0.5x-100-e1778193018886.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T105000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T112000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T223352Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T223352Z UID:9156-1780051800-1780053600@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:AI and You DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nEncourage people to make individual choices about AI in their jobs\, within University guidelines and applicable standards. There will also be a brief discussion about applications outside work\, including trip planning\, writing\, and searches. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nJulie Johnson URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/ai-and-you/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2024/05/Navigating-Cybersecurity-e1778193165693.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T105000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T112000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T223730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T223730Z UID:9184-1780051800-1780053600@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:What even is technical debt? DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nA meditation on the nature of technical debt\, adjacent concepts\, and precision of language.\nWhere did this term come from?\nWhat do we mean when we use this term?\nCan we usefully distinguish “technical debt” from other categories of “things we don’t like”?\nWhat can we learn from the “debt” metaphor?\nWhat are the shortcomings of the “debt” metaphor? What other metaphors are available\, and what might we learn from them?\nWhat does all this mean? How can I responsibly navigate incurring and paying down technical debt in my IT work at the University? How does this affect the human beings who perform and are touched by this work?\nThis talk will examine the apparent origins of this concept from Ward Cunningham\, trace some of how it has been expanded upon and applied since. We will appreciate the metaphor while also considering its shortcomings. We will examine other available metaphors.\nThe audience will leave the talk more ready to think critically about “technical debt.” \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nAndrew Petro URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/what-even-is-technical-debt/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2024/04/stuck-IT-project-e1778193386807.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T122000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T123500 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T224445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T224445Z UID:9189-1780057200-1780058100@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Appreciating jj-vcs DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\njj-vcs (“Jujutsu”) is a free and open source distributed version control system interoperable with Git but offering different abstractions and arguably better ergonomics. This talk will describe jj-vcs both on its own terms and on how it relates to Git\, which may be familiar to many. We will work on a few examples of using jj-vcs to demonstrate the different abstractions and ergonomics. Is jj-vcs the future? I don’t know. However\, it is possible for it to be part of your immediate future\, because it interoperates with Git today.\nYou might prefer its abstractions and ergonomics. This flash talk is intended to give current Git users just enough of a taste to make an informed choice to learn more. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nAndrew Petro URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/appreciating-jj-vcs/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2026/05/Enhancing-Enterprise-IT-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T122000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T125000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T224720Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T224720Z UID:9193-1780057200-1780059000@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Simple Accessibility Wins in the KnowledgeBase DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nI have been the DoIT Help Desk KnowledgeBase (KB) Documentation Lead for 4 years\, and over this time witnessed many of the same common digital accessibility mistakes. I have a presentation with simple fixes for these common mistakes to help make your documentation much more accessible\, including correct heading numbering\, alt text for screenshots\, complex tables\, and more. It’s meant for the busy technologist who wants to successfully and quickly publish accessible documentation. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nDana Gerber-Margie URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/simple-accessibility-wins-in-the-knowledgebase/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2025/05/Making-digital-accessibility-work_@0.5x-100-e1778194016277.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T122000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T125000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T225204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T225204Z UID:9196-1780057200-1780059000@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:What Could Go Wrong? Building a Long-Term Archive in the Real World DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nWhen you build a system designed to preserve data for years\, you quickly discover that everything eventually goes wrong; storage fills up\, transfers fail\, files corrupt\, and assumptions break under real-world conditions. This talk tells the story of our Long Term Archive system: how it started\, the unexpected challenges we encountered in production\, and how we iterated toward robust\, reliable solutions. We’ll cover concrete examples and share the lessons we learned the hard way so you don’t have to. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nPatrick Meade\nSteve Barnet URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/what-could-go-wrong-building-a-long-term-archive-in-the-real-world/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2026/05/Lightning.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T131500 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T230557Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T230557Z UID:9204-1780059600-1780060500@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:Utilizing AI Tools to Design and Develop Engaging Online Compliance Training for UW-Madison Staff\, Faculty\, and Students DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nThis session will demonstrate how expert instructional designers on the DoIT-Academic Technology Learn@UW Team utilize AI tools and instructional technologies\, including LLMs\, NotebookLM\, and Articulate 360 AI Assistant\, to design and develop engaging online training. While our work is centered around UW-Madison and compliance training\, the same concepts can be applied across departments and institutions. We will discuss the steps we take to synthesize and organize content\, as well as assessments to evaluate learning. Finally\, we will end our talk with a review of best practice tips and tricks around using AI for instructional design purposes. \n\nPresenter(s)\n\nCori Schmidtbauer\nLily Sullivan URL:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/event/utilizing-ai-tools-to-design-and-develop-engaging-online-compliance-training-for-uw-madison-staff-faculty-and-students/ CATEGORIES:2026 Conference,2026 Virtual Only ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://itproconf.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/296/2026/05/Graduation-progress-square.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260529T133000 DTSTAMP:20260507T224340 CREATED:20260507T225833Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T225833Z UID:9199-1780059600-1780061400@itproconf.wisc.edu SUMMARY:So\, you need an Accessible web interface? DESCRIPTION:Virtual \nJoin the Zoom Event \n\nA triptych through recent additions to HTML\, CSS\, and JavaScript in the last 10 years that are useful for improving a bespoke or legacy web application\, which may not have been designed with accessibility in mind and predates some of the more advanced features that are now built into every modern web browser. \nExamples: \n\nBuilding a bespoke web app framework (like Django\, Dancer\, or Mojolicious) to separate server code from presentation while retaining as much of the legacy code base and structure as possible to avoid needing to rewrite the world\nUse of the HTML5 elements such as
and ; \, \, and ; text fields with client-side regex validation using the pattern attribute\, as well as accessibility using